Song Of The Day: The Black Keys – “Tighten Up” (2010)

Happy Birthday to Dan Auerbach, lead singer and co-founder of The Black Keys, who turns 39 today. Together with partner Pat Carney, Auerbach took the Keys from indie obscurity into a surprise stardom in 2010 on the strength of the album Brothers. It was a throwback Blues Rock sound but this was no retro act — their distinctly gritty edge had 21st century written all over it. In the last couple of years Auerbach has been stretching his musical wings in disparate projects like 2015’s R&B/Soul influenced The Arcs, and last year’s Nashville-flavored solo album. This guy has always been a late bloomer and we are hoping for a few more musical surprises from him in the years ahead.

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Today, people say Rock is dead, but Rich says bullshit to that. “We’ve got people like Jack White, Beck and Jeff Tweedy who are worthy carriers of the torch that was lit so long ago. Taking the big tent perspective, I would argue that Rock is as vital today as it’s ever been.” You can reach him at rich@rocknuts.net.